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Benetti honours World Boating Day
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The Italian builder’s Livorno shipyard hosted 2,000 members of the public in a spectacular event that also played a part in the first Blu Livorno event.
Benetti’s Livorno shipyard welcomes the public
Benetti kicked off the second World Boating Day a week ahead of schedule, but set the bar with a stunning event that featured over 2,000 people visiting the builder’s Livorno shipyard on Italy’s west coast.
Benetti hosted the special event earlier than the official World Boating Day date of May 24 so it could double up as a highlight of the final day of Blu Livorno, the city’s new biennial event dedicated to the sea and water. Blu Livorno focused on the marine economy and was aimed at citizens, public administrations, private companies, schools and local associations.
Guests enjoy a tour of the Livorno facility
Last year, Benetti participated in the first World Boating Day, and this year again played a major role in the Superyacht Life Foundation initiative, hosting a wide range of activities that all enjoyed strong attendance.
Employees of Benetti and the Lusben refit shipyard took centre stage, serving as speakers and guides. All age groups were engaged and inspired by activities including painting workshops for children, seaside pilates sessions, storytelling at the Museum, plus visits to the Isola della Vela sailing boat and Leonardo, a NATO research vessel.
Waterfront pilates sessions
The day continued with a round table discussion with maritime institutes and ISYL (Italian Super Yacht Life Institute) students and concluded with a concert by the young musicians of the Mascagni Orchestra.
“It was a day for the whole family but above all an opportunity to promote a culture of boating among young people, encourage them to discover the world of yachting, and attract new talent, potentially turning into future job opportunities in a sector that is vital to the entire economy,” Benetti stated.
The Mascagni Orchestra performed in a production hall
During the closing ceremony of the Blu Livorno at the Aquarium Terrace, Livorno Mayor Luca Salvetti, alongside Lusben General Manager Ferdinando Pilli representing the Azimut-Benetti Group, announced the symbolic handover of five French naval cannons, currently preserved by Benetti, to the Livorno community.
Furthermore, the Mayor and Angela Rafanelli, Livorno’s Councillor for Culture, presented the Vitelli family with a prestigious honour, ‘To Those Who Love the Sea and Water’. Giovanna Vitelli is Chair of Azimut-Benetti Group, which was owned by her father, the late Paolo Vitelli, who founded Azimut in 1969 and bought Benetti in 1985.
Ferdinando Pilli (Lusben GM), Luca Salvetti (Mayor of Livorno) and Angela Rafanelli (Councillor for Culture)
Benetti concluded: “The shipyard’s participation in this important initiative reaffirmed its commitment to bringing more people closer to the world of yachting, revealing its secrets and enduring appeal, while also showcasing its deep-rooted connection to the surrounding territory.”
